The Lord Has Done Great Things for our Family

When I was in Iowa with Miriam I found this plaque that says "The Lord Has Done Great Things for Our Family- Psalms 126:3. I really like it. I am so grateful for our many great blessings.
I am happy that our grandchildren like to read. I hope that the Ellingson's enjoy these Junior Classics and have lots of good reading from them.
I found another plaque to put on our table with our seasonal decorations.
It says "Love of a Family is Life's Greatest Blessing". I agree.
On Sunday October 24, 2010 we invited Marlene and her family over for dinner to celebrate her birthday.
We enjoyed having some of our Ellingson grandchildren with us.
Ray showed Kyle and Tyler a new game.
We were happy that Dallin and Laura could join us.
I am impressed at how well Jaron plays the piano.
Marlene played for her boys to sing Primary songs for their Grandpa and Grandma. I love the primary songs and the gospel they teach through the great lyrics.
I am happy that Amy stopped by to visit with us.
I am so grateful for our family taking time to spend the evening with us.
Amy brought over this beautiful bouquet of flowers that she had at her latest Trade Show.
I am always grateful for the opportunity to go to the temple. This gives me strength to carry on.
I feel a wonderful spirit in the "House of the Lord".
I saw this sunset while I was taking Jay for a walk in the wheelchair. I enjoy the beauty of God's creations.
I am grateful for four grandchildren who are currently serving missions in Russia, Bulgaria, Argentina and at the MTC preparing to go to Chile. I love reading their letters each week.
I put pins on the map where we have served on our mission and our children and grandchildren and their spouses have served. I counted 35 missions from just our family.
I am grateful for living plants and the rock we brought home from Jay's home in Virden. He sat on this little rock chair as a child.

Mortensens in Sound of Music

Saturday afternoon October 23, 2010 Ray went with me to the Higley Center for the Performing Arts to watch The Sound of Music.
It was great to have two grandchildren in the cast and a daughter who played the piano in the pit with the orchestra for the production.
Dale was Kurt von Trapp. His photo is on the poster showing the cast. He had a cute part and lots of lines.
Jamie made a cute Nun.
We saw Rauna during the intermission in the pit.
It is dark but you can barely make out Rauna sitting at the piano in the orchestra pit.
I liked the set in the living room of the Trapp Villa. The grand staircase was nicely done.
In this scene Max is telling the children that he has enrolled them in the talent program. Their parents were on their honeymoon so he did it without their consent.
The von Trapp Family Singers. This musical has been a favorite for many years. I remember Miriam and Marlene going to see it when they were very young. Our girls liked to sing the songs from this musical and performed them many times.
Jamie is in this scene in the Abby where the nuns are singing. The music in this production was beautiful
The von Trapp Singers perform, "So Long Farewell" in the concert hall while waiting to see who won the talent program.
Captain Von Trapp and Maria sing Edelweiss.
We enjoyed visiting with our special cast members after the performance. Jamie has a great singing voice.
Dale always does well and gets into the part he plays.
We enjoyed visiting with our special cast members after their great performance.
Rauna has had to be at all the rehearsals and performances to play the piano. She willingly shares her talent.
We enjoyed the performance so much.
Thank you for providing such good entertainment for us.
The sunset was beautiful from the freeway as we hurried home.

So Long Becks and Thanks

I enjoyed spending Sunday, October 17th with the Becks and going to Kanesville Ward with them.
Skyler, Rebekah and Alicia are in their same ward.
I took this photo of Jamie after our meetings before she left to go home. We waited for Kayla to have an interview with her Bishop.
I love this photo of the Resurrected Christ that was displayed in the foyer of the church.
Colby's missionary plaque is displayed in the Kanesville Ward Display Case. He is currently serving a mission in Bulgaria.
Also in the display case I saw our grandsons listed for receiving their Eagle Scout awards and our granddaughters their Young Womanhood Recognition awards.
I enjoyed taking photos of my granddaughters in their Sunday dress.
The road back to the Becks went up and down the hills.
Tony was visiting another ward today. When he came home he loved playing with Alicia.
I think Alicia likes her Grandpa and Grandma Beck.
Tony and Miriam work on finishing the preparations for the Sunday dinner.
We enjoyed all sitting around the table and eating together.
Tony's brother Brad likes to join us for Sunday dinners together. I am glad I could be with them today for their traditional Sunday fried chicken dinner.
I was privileged to give our Home Evening lesson. I talked about being prepared to make good decisions before the moment of decision comes and also Jay's poem about Dead Man's Corner.
I included his poem about Dead Man's Corner in the last Richardson Round Robin.
Alicia loves to play with the Halloween Jack-o-lanterns.
Playing with two is even better than one.
We enjoyed another good visit with Skyler, Rebekah and Alicia.
Miriam visits on the telephone with her children that are not at home.
I gave my sweet great granddaughter another hug before I left to go back to Arizona.
I felt it was a miracle that I got a seat on a very full flight so that I could get home to care for my eternal companion that I have missed so much. I had a good rest and am now anxious to give Jay all the love I can while I care for him at home.